Blount County Planning Commission approves restaurant site plan and multiple plats, recommends Blunt Avenue right‑of‑way abandonment to Alcoa

The Blount County Planning Commission approved a site plan for a restaurant and additional retail space at 5022 U.S. Highway 411 South and cleared several subdivision plats and lot‑line adjustments at its meeting (date not specified).

Cameron, county planning staff, described the site plan for the property formerly occupied by Jake’s Place and said the proposed building has a slightly larger footprint than the prior restaurant. "This plan is also for a restaurant with additional retail space," Cameron said, noting the project meets zoning requirements listed in the staff memo and that architectural elevations comply with county standards.

Staff recommended approval subject to conditions that must be met before issuance of a certificate of occupancy: installation of a vegetative buffer on the west side of the property, submission of a final lighting plan demonstrating compliance with the approved lighting design, and issuance of any applicable permits. Cameron also noted the owner recently installed a new septic system; environmental health review remains required.

The commission approved several plats and replat requests with standard conditions. Doug, county planning staff, presented McCammon Ridge Subdivision (Lots 1–6 off Nails Creek Road and Alfred McCammon Road), noting the approval is contingent on final review by the Blount County Environmental Health Department, any necessary lot line adjustments, additional access restrictions required by the Blount County Highway Department, and final plat certifications and fees.

Doug also presented Crooked Creek Subdivision (Lots 1–4 off Davis Ford Road and Helton Road) and a replat of Lot 1 of the Helen Kerr property off Walker School Road; both were approved subject to signature plats with all certifications, environmental health sign‑off, electric and water approvals as applicable, and payment of planning and review fees.

On a replat for Lot 40R in the Top of the World/Campers Paradise area (Jason and Sherry Barnett), the commission considered a variance to minimum lot size. Doug said the Blount County Environmental Health Department "has indicated that the lot line adjustment is an improvement to the existing situation and there are no zoning considerations." The commission approved the plat and the variance request fee requirements and outstanding certification items.

The commission approved a set of coordinated lot‑line adjustments affecting the Whitaker and Tipton properties off Wildwood Road. Doug said environmental health must review the changes because "all lots need to be stand alone for septic approval and that setbacks from field line and other septic areas will need to be met." Commissioners approved the combined filing with the understanding outstanding environmental health conditions must be satisfied.

On a separate matter, the commission voted to recommend abandonment of a segment of right‑of‑way for Blunt Avenue. Doug said the proposal involves several transactions among the county, the ballpark owner and adjacent property owners and that the county attorney recommended review by both the Alcoa Regional Planning Commission and the Blount County Planning Commission. "Since this is in Alcoa's planning region, the county attorney has suggested that it be considered by both the Alcoa Regional Planning Commission and the Blount County Planning Commission," Doug said. The motion passed; commissioners and staff said the recommendation will go to the Alcoa planning commission and then back to the Blount County Commission for final action.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (motion by Commissioner Nick Bridal; second by Commissioner John Giles): approved; vote tally not specified in transcript. - Approve site plan for 5022 U.S. Highway 411 South, subject to conditions (motion by Commissioner John Giles; second by Commissioner Wells): approved; vote tally not specified. - Approve preliminary/final plat McCammon Ridge Subdivision, Lots 1–6, subject to environmental health review and highway access notes (motion by Commissioner Bright; second by Commissioner Wells): approved; vote tally not specified. - Approve Crooked Creek Subdivision, Lots 1–4, subject to standard certifications and fees (motion by Commissioner Wells; second by Commissioner Bridal): approved; vote tally not specified. - Approve replat of Lot 1 Helen Kerr Property into three lots, subject to certifications and fees (motion by Commissioner Bridal; second by Commissioner Morris): approved; vote tally not specified. - Recommend abandonment of a segment of Blunt Avenue right‑of‑way to the Alcoa Regional Planning Commission and the Blount County Commission (motion by Commissioner Hodge; second by Commissioner Bright): approved; vote tally not specified. - Approve replat/variance for Lot 40R, Top of the World/Campers Paradise, addressing minimum lot size (motion by Commissioner McClellan; second by Commissioner Bright): approved; vote tally not specified. - Approve coordinated lot‑line adjustments for Whitaker and Tipton properties off Wildwood Road, contingent on environmental health sign‑off (motion by Commissioner McClellan; second by Commissioner Hodge): approved; vote tally not specified.

The approvals are conditional in several cases on final certifications and environmental health sign‑off; the Blount County Commission will receive the right‑of‑way recommendation after Alcoa’s planning review. No public hearings on these items were held at the meeting and no public speakers on agenda items were recorded.